TENNIS LEGENDS SPEAK THEIR MINDS…

On the present ATP ranking system…

Borg…

Well, they have two different ranks. So it is really confusing as to who is number one. People really don't know what is going on. They will have to redefine it very clearly. They seed players differently in different tournaments. It is very confusing... the whole thing.

Yes, I agree, I think the original system that we had, with the averages, was the safest one. It had every aspect covered. I mean, if it is confusing for former players like us…one can imagine the plight of the average tennis fan who is following the game. But the good thing about the ATP tour is that we are in control of this and we should be able to change it. If something works, it works. If it doesn't work, it is changed.

It is sure to stay. I think the sponsorship contract is also been renewed. The event is going to stay in Chennai.

The ATP Doubles world championships is to be held in Bangalore. After that, it is over, because the doubles event is owned by the tour unlike the Gold Flake Open, which is owned by IMG. The doubles event, which is a two-year deal is leased to various cities. For the next two years it has been leased to Bangalore. But on the whole, the future of the challengers looks promising and the players never had it so good. We never had something like this, in our days.

We have very good talent at the under 14 and under 15 level, but this talent does not come out at the same level at the under 19 level which is were the transition from boy's tennis to men's tennis happens. They are just not getting good after 15 or 16. The big question is - what happens between 16 and 19? Do they have it in them to give up everything to go beyond the realm of the ordinary? Look at these guys (pointing out to Borg, Vilas and the others). It was their single-minded devotion that got them to the top. It was their incredible devotion and commitment that they invested to reap such dividends. Sponsorship and a good coach also count, but at the end of the day, it just boils down to you.

I think our boys get easily satisfied. There is quite a lot of money in the tournaments now. You can make a lakh or two, and they are happy to lead a good lifestyle here, rather than invest that in training abroad or a good coach and make it good at the international level. We need players at the top level in the top 50 of the singles. That is what it takes to increase the quality of the talent here and also provide motivation for others to take it up here.

At his time, he was one of the best, when it came to the doubles game.

I think that the top singles players should be involved in doubles. It is certainly going to help their game and also boost sponsors. Because right now, even though the sponsors are pumping in 20 - 30 % of the prize money into the doubles, there is not much of crowd turnout in the stadiums because star players are not present in doubles. I really feel that the top players should be forced to play doubles at least once in a while.

At 35 he is the youngest on the senior tour. His was a career cut short by injuries. But Pat Cash is still capable of troubling the top players on the ATP Tour

I am certainly the youngest guy to play on the senior tour, but I think I have had more injuries than all these guys combined. I think that I have played quite a few tournaments and you have to be very very fit to play against these guys. These guys are no pushovers.

|